Jacksonville City Council Regular Meeting

Date: September 22, 2026
Time: 4:00 PM – 10:28 PM
Location: Council Chamber, City Hall, 117 W. Duval Street
Presiding: Council President Nick Howland
Attendance: 19 members present (all)

This session included the adoption of the FY 2026‑27 budget, the setting of millage rates, numerous land‑use and rezoning approvals, and public testimony on housing affordability, cultural funding, and public safety. The meeting opened with an invocation by Pastor Dan Adams and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Council Member Ken Amaro.

Consent Calendar

• Approved (19‑0): Eight quasi‑judicial rezoning and road‑frontage waiver ordinances (2026‑0559 through 2026‑0661).
• Approved (19‑0, except 2026‑0510 pulled): Consent agenda items 9–25, including opioid settlement grants ($5,279,951), Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant ($52,000), carryover of funds for the Mayor’s Council on Fitness and Well‑Being ($31,227), tax‑roll extension, title‑loan lender code amendments, funding for the Salvation Army Homeless to Work Program ($150,000), Minds of the Future Foundation ($55,000), extension of Workforce Industrial Training contract, manatee protection studies ($103,549), appointment of Becky Morgan to the Downtown Development Review Board, and several heritage and appreciation month proclamations (Filipino American, Italian American, Polish American, Pastor Appreciation, Dolly Parton Day).
• Withdrawn: Ordinance 2026‑0665 (title‑loan lender code) and 2026‑0666 (Salvation Army funding) were withdrawn by unanimous vote.
• Later considered: Ordinance 2026‑0510 was pulled from consent for later discussion and ultimately approved (16‑0‑3, Carrico, Gaffney, Pittman abstaining).

Public Comments & Testimony

Over 30 speakers addressed the Council, with the following themes:

• Affordable Housing Trust Fund: More than a dozen speakers urged restoration of $4.9 million for the fund, citing rising rents, housing insecurity among teachers, nurses, and seniors, and the city’s role as “eviction capital of Florida.” Speakers included representatives of iCARE, Riverside Church, and the Art Center Cooperative.
• Public Safety & JSO Budget: Several speakers called for redirecting funds from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) and fire department budget toward mental health services, crisis intervention teams, and community programs. Concerns were raised about the 287(g) immigration enforcement agreement and the police pension fund’s investment in Teva Pharmaceuticals.
• Cultural Service Grants: Representatives from the Jacksonville Children’s Chorus, Five & Dime Theatre, and other arts organizations requested full funding of the Cultural Service Grant Program, noting its economic impact ($143 million) and support for 5,000+ jobs.
• Electric Bicycle Safety: School Board Member Melody Bolduc supported Ordinance 2026‑0570, which sets rules for e‑bikes (speed limits, helmet requirements, education).
• Other Topics: Zoning opposition for a proposed beer‑and‑wine batting cage near a school, support for the millage rate, and concerns about stormwater and waste management contracts.

Discussion Items

Budget & Millage Rates (Items 77–80, 82–98)

• Millage Levies (2026‑0501, 0502, 0503): After a public hearing, the Council set the 2026 property tax rates:
  • General Services District (excluding beaches and Baldwin): 11.1919 mills (3.93% increase from rolled‑back rate).
  • Urban Service Districts 2‑4 (Atlantic Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach): 7.9012 mills (6.24% increase).
  • Urban Service District 5 (Baldwin): 9.4208 mills (1.98% increase). All three millage bills passed 16‑3 (Carrico, Diamond, Gay dissenting).
• FY 2026‑27 Consolidated Budget (2026‑0504): The substitute budget, amended by two floor amendments, was approved 18‑1 (Diamond dissenting). The $2 billion budget is 1.2% lower than the prior year’s spending, with reserves preserved for potential revenue shortfalls from Amendment 3 (property tax cap). Key floor amendments:
  • Arias Amendment #1 (passed): Restored $237,427 for membership dues to the Florida Association of Counties, Florida League of Cities, National Association of Counties, and National League of Cities.
  • Carlucci Amendment as amended by Salem (passed): Restored $4.9 million to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, allocating $2 million for down‑payment assistance, $1.4 million for capital stack funding, $1.5 million for attainable housing utility tap fees, and $1.5 million for down‑payment assistance (revised from original). The amendment passed 13‑6 on a recorded vote (see Key Outcomes).
  • Peluso Amendment (Cultural Service Grants, failed 9‑10): Attempted to move 100% of Cultural Service Grants above the line (from 65% held in contingency).
  • Johnson Amendments (failed): Proposals for United Way eviction diversion ($500,000), Eastside community center ($300,000), and telehealth program ($750,000) all failed 9‑10 or 9‑9.
• Other Budget‑Related Bills (Items 82–98): Approved with final votes ranging from 15‑2 to 19‑0. Notable include:
  • FYs 27‑31 Capital Improvement Plan (2026‑0505): 17‑0‑2 (Gaffney, Gay abstaining).
  • Indigent Health Care agreement with Shands Jacksonville ($56 million): 19‑0.
  • JEA bond authorization (up to $7.75 billion for electric, water, and energy systems): 18‑1.
  • Eastside Community Grants Program ($7.7 million): 16‑1‑2.
  • JSO Immigration Grant Program ($1,916,232): 18‑1.
  • Four city properties donated for affordable housing (2026‑0676): 19‑0.

Electric Bicycle Regulations (2026‑0570)

Adopted 19‑0 after substitute language added retailer education requirements and allowed district council members to use traffic‑calming funds for speed‑limit signage. The ordinance sets a 15 mph speed limit on sidewalks, requires helmets for riders under 16, and mandates audible warnings when passing pedestrians.

Other Land‑Use and Zoning Actions

• Public Hearings (Items 26–76): Most rezoning and comprehensive plan amendments were continued to later dates (October 13 or 27, 2026). Approved:
  • 2026‑0631 (Downtown marina slips increase from 789 to 964): 18‑0.
  • 2026‑0632 (text amendment for residential compatibility factors): 18‑0.
• New Introductions (Items 116–155): Several resolutions and ordinances were introduced, including an economic development agreement for “Project Apollo” (up to $475,000 REV grant), appointments to boards, and a proposal to allow JTA to use up to $30 million in gas‑tax funds for debt retirement (2026‑0780, introduced as emergency).

Emergency Ordinances

• 2026‑0688 (Historic Stanton School grant extension): 17‑1.
• 2026‑0699 (tax waiver for hospital assessments): 17‑1.
• 2026‑0708 (Blue Cypress Golf Course clubhouse, $250,000): 18‑0.
• 2026‑0710 (budget capacity for Property Appraiser): 18‑0.
• 2026‑0711 (FEMA flood‑prone property acquisition): 17‑0.
• 2026‑0713 (City Hall Museum furniture, $25,000): 16‑3.
• 2026‑0714 (Downtown public space maintenance via Downtown Vision): 18‑1.
• 2026‑0717 (Film incentive carryover for “Project T”): 17‑2.
• 2026‑0718 (Film office carryover): 17‑2.
• 2026‑0719 (Ritz Chamber Players grant, $50,310): 18‑1.
• 2026‑0724 (KHA building license renewal): 18‑0.
• 2026‑0768 (Resolution commending Jake Gordon): 19‑0.

Key Outcomes

• Budget & Millage: FY 2026‑27 budget adopted 18‑1; millage rates set for General Services, Beaches, and Baldwin (all 16‑3).
• Affordable Housing: $4.9 million restored to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund via Carlucci/Salem amendment (recorded vote: 13‑6; Yay – Carlucci (Vice President), Carrico, Amaro, Arias, Matt Carlucci, Clark‑Murray, Pittman, Gaffney, Johnson, Peluso, Salem, Holder; Nay – Boylan, Howland, Lahnen, Diamond, White, Gay).
• Association Dues: $237,427 restored for state and national municipal associations (Arias amendment, passed by hand vote).
• Public Service Grants: Amendment to move full PSG funding above the line passed on 2026‑0509 (vote not recorded individually but bill passed 17‑1‑1).
• Cultural Service Grants: Effort to fully fund CSG failed (9‑10).
• E‑Bike Ordinance: Passed unanimously (19‑0).
• Hospital Assessment Tax Waiver: Passed 17‑1.
• JSO Immigration Grant: Approved 18‑1 (Peluso dissenting).
• Next Meeting: October 13, 2026, at 4:00 PM.

Meeting adjourned at 10:28 PM.